AS25532 Tanto: Nobusada(64th NBTHK Juyo Token)

Ordering number:AS25532

Tanto in Shirasaya with Koshirae and box(64th NBTHK Juyo Token)

Signature: Nobusada
信貞

Box Inscription:
Provenance: Formerly passed down in the Asaka-no-miya family
Yamashiro Province – Nobusada
A fine piece with ubu nakago and signature intact
Written in Showa 7 (1932), month unspecified
Presented by the Mayor of Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
Donor: Aizu Token Kanshoukai (Aizu Sword Appreciation Society)
Hon’ami Nisshu

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Saijyo Saku among the works of Nobusada.
Habaki: Single gold-covered
Blade Length: 9 sun 3 bu (28.2 cm / 11.10 in)
Curvature: Uchizori (slightly inward-curved)
Mekugi Holes: 3
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.70 cm (1.06 in)
Thickness (Kasane): 0.60 cm (0.24 in)
Sword Weight: 205 g
Era: Early Muromachi period, around the Oei era (1394–1428)
Shape:Hira-zukuri, mitsumune.
The blade has a standard width, slightly thicker kasane, and slight uchizori.
Jigane:Itame hada with flowing pattern, slightly standing out, with ji-nie and chikei.
Utsuri is also visible.
Hamon:Notare with mixed gunome, including ashi and yo, with abundant nie, tobiyaki, and yubashiri.
Fine sunagashi appears.
The nioiguchi is bright and clear.
Boshi is irregular with sweeping return (hakikake), large rounded tip on the omote, both sides returning short.
Carvings:Omote: Traces of Bonji and lotus pedestal, with koshi-hi carved and flowing.
Ura: Traces of Bonji and twin koshi-hi carved in flowing style.

Features: According to reference books, Nobusada is usually considered a former name of Shikibu-no-Jo Nobukuni.
Further research is needed on this point.
The sword once held by Kumano Hayatama Shrine bears the names Nobukuni, Sadamitsu, Nobukiyo, and Sadatsugu, alongside Nobusada.
That sword is dated to 1390, and based on comparison, it is clear that Nobusada was a swordsmith related to the Nobukuni school.
This tanto has a standard width, slightly thick kasane, and slightly extended length with inward curvature.
The forging is itame hada with tobiyaki and yubashiri, fine sunagashi, and a bright and clear nioiguchi.
It is an excellent piece.
The gunome patterns, often appearing in pairs, show traits reminiscent of Nobukuni.
As a signed piece, it is a valuable reference.
This fine work is featured in Kozan Oshigata.

Koshirae:
Saya: Dark brown lacquered saya.
Menuki: Shakudo base, with a high-relief carving of a tiger.

Aoi Art’s Comment: This piece has an ample blade length and is designated as a 64th Juyo Token.
Being a recent designation, the standards were particularly strict.
A copy of the Kozan Oshigata is included with this sword.

64th NBTHK Juyo Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata
Box
*Shipping fee not included.